The Old Franciscan Missions Of California eBook

They had further causes of anxiety. The complications
between Mexico and Spain, which culminated in the
independence of the former, and then the establishment
of the Empire, gave the leaders enough to occupy their
minds.

The final establishment took place in 1823, without
any idea of founding a new Mission. The change
to San Rafael had been so beneficial to the sick Indians
that Canon Fernandez, Prefect Payeras, and Governor
Argueello decided to transfer bodily the Mission of
San Francisco from the peninsula to the mainland north
of the bay, and make San Rafael dependent upon it.
An exploring expedition was sent out which somewhat
carefully examined the whole neighborhood and finally
reported in favor of the Sonoma Valley. The report
being accepted, on July 4, 1823, a cross was set up
and blessed on the site, which was named New San Francisco.

Padre Altimira, one of the explorers, now wrote to
the new padre presidente—­Senan—­explaining
what he had done, and his reasons for so doing; stating
that San Francisco could no longer exist, and that
San Rafael was unable to subsist alone. Discussion
followed, and Sarria, the successor of Senan, who
had died, refused to authorize the change; expressing
himself astonished at the audacity of those who had
dared to take so important a step without consulting
the supreme government. Then Altimira, infuriated,
wrote to the governor, who had been a party to the
proposed removal, concluding his tirade by saying:

“I came to convert gentiles and to establish
new Missions, and if I cannot do it here, which, as
we all agree, is the best spot in California for the
purpose, I will leave the country.”

Governor Argueello assisted his priestly friend as
far as he was able, and apprised Sarria that he would
sustain the new establishment; although he would withdraw
the order for the suppression of San Rafael.
A compromise was then effected by which New San Francisco
was to remain a Mission in regular standing, but neither
San Rafael nor old San Francisco were to be disturbed.

Is it not an inspiring subject for speculation?
Where would the modern city of San Francisco be, if
the irate Father and plotting politicians of those
early days had been successful in their schemes?

The new Mission, all controversy being settled, was
formally dedicated on Passion Sunday, April 4, 1824,
by Altimira, to San Francisco Solano, “the great
apostle to the Indies.” There were now two
San Franciscos, de Asis and Solano, and because of
the inconvenience arising from this confusion, the
popular names, Dolores and Solano, and later, Sonoma,
came into use.

From the point now reached, the history of the Missions
is one of distress, anxiety, and final disaster.
Their great work was practically ended.

CHAPTER VI

THE INDIANS AT THE COMING OF THE PADRES

It is generally believed that the California Indian
in his original condition was one of the most miserable
and wretched of the world’s aborigines.
As one writer puts it: